Its director, Maritime Lt Commander Amiludin Yenggah said the agency's patrolling team in the area detected a speed boat without registration number at 11.30am.

“However, the boat sped off before its skipper plunged into the shallow water and fled.

“The inspection on the boat found 20 jerry cans containing 350 litres of petrol and estimated to be worth RM11,800,” he said in a statement here today.

Amiludin said the speedboat and petrol were seized under the Sabah Ports and Harbours Enactment 2002 and the Control of Supplies Act 1961 and were taken to the Azumi Camp jetty for further investigation.

He also urged the public to channel information on any violations of the maritime law by contacting the MMEA Semporna operation centre at 089-782619 or MERS 999 for emergency cases at sea. — Bernama